Method, computer program, and system for carrying out a project

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a method, a computer program and a system for carrying out a project from a plurality of differently located electronic data processing (EDP) devices ( 200′, 300 ), which are connected via a data network ( 400 ) with a main server ( 100 ) serving the central data loading for the purpose of data exchange and whereby, during individual working time intervals, respectively one other from the plurality of EDP devices ( 200′, 300 ) for carrying out the project is at least partially activated. Proceeding from this prior art, the aim of the invention is to develop a known method, computer program and system of the stated kind in such a way that employees at other sites, lying at a distance from the main server, are permitted full cooperation in a project. This aim is solved in accordance with the invention by the fact that the data network ( 400 ) is designed in a cross-locational manner, and that the individual EDP devices ( 200 ) are located distributed at least partially in a cross-locational manner.

[0001] The invention relates to a method for carrying out a project froma plurality of differently located electronic data processing (EDP)devices, which are connected via a data network with a main serverserving the central data loading for the purpose of data exchange andwhereby, during individual working time intervals, respectively oneother from the plurality of EDP devices for carrying out the project isat least partially activated.

[0002] The invention further relates to a computer program and a systemfor the implementation of at least individual steps of this method.

[0003] Such methods are known in principle from the prior art. In manylarger companies, EDP devices at differently located workplaces arenetworked with one another, for example by a Local Area Network LAN.Employees then have the opportunity to store their respective workresults for a project, which they have acquired during a working timeinterval, e.g. during an 8-hour working day, on a main server via theEDP device at their workplace and the LAN. These work results can thenalso be retrieved again at any time, in particular at the start of asubsequent working time interval, from other EDP devices connected tothe LAN in order to continue the project work from there.

[0004] Hitherto, however, such methods for carrying out projects havebeen known solely for spatially limited applications, in particularsolely related to a company site. This has the drawback that employeesat other sites cannot readily be involved in the project work.

[0005] Proceeding from this prior art, the aim of the invention is toadvance a known method, computer program and system of the stated kindin such a way that employees at other sites, lying at a distance fromthe main server, are permitted full cooperation in a project.

[0006] This aim is solved by the method claimed in claim 1. Moreprecisely, the aim is accordingly solved by the fact that the datanetwork is designed supra-regionally, in particular internationally, andthat the individual EDP devices are located distributed at leastpartially supra-regionally.

[0007] The term supra-regional (trans-regional) is to be understood inthe present invention in the broadest sense as extending beyond the siteof a company. In particular, supra-regional means located beyond aregion of a country of the world or international, i.e. in differentcountries of the world. The method according to the invention enablesthe implementation of a project relay, in which different operators ofEDP devices can work on the same project temporally and spatiallyindependently of one another, in particular temporally one after theother. The operators do not need to leave their site; in particular,they do not need to travel to the site of the main server; this savestraveling expenses and working time.

[0008] To advantage, the project work can be organized in a morevariable manner by the method according to the invention; e.g. betteruse can be made of free capacities at individual sites of a company. Ifneed be, external partners of a company can also be involved withoutloss of information.

[0009] Non-line-linked parts of the data network are, for example, asatellite transmission link or a mobile radio network.

[0010] With a supra-regional or even international location of at leastsome EDP devices, an employer can profit from a lower wage level thatmay exist in other regions or countries. Supra-regional, particularlyworldwide, development capacities can be used in this way; a know-howtransfer between sites can take place, so that development standards canbe harmonized worldwide if need be.

[0011] If the EDP devices are located in different world time zones, thetime lag can be used to advantage to extend the project working time perday, without the need to work longer than usual at a site, e.g. approx.6-8 h, depending on the current time lag and local/collectively agreedworking time arrangements. At the end of a work shift, i.e. of a workingtime interval, at a first site, the project work can be continued at asecond site which has a time lag compared with the first site. In thisway, greatly reduced times can be achieved for the partial or totalproject execution without suffering loss of quality, and an earliermarket launch of a product resulting from the project work can thus beachieved. Ideally, a project is carried out with a time stagger fromthree different sites, which all have a time lag of 7 h with respect toone another. Continuous project work without a time overlap is thenpossible.

[0012] For the implementation of such cross-locational project work, itis advantageous to take recourse at least partially to existing datanetworks, such as the Internet, an intranet or a Wide Area Network WAN,and available software program, such as Internet browsers. To advantage,the networks used are protected against data misuse.

[0013] Depending on the type of project to be carried out, it is ofgreat advantage if data transmission takes place in real time in thedata network, in particular between an EDP device and the main server.

[0014] For a smooth transition in the project work between twosuccessive working time intervals, it is advantageous if not onlyspecific object data assigned to a current work object, e.g. workresults in the form of computer-aided design CAD data, are logged andstored in at least one object file, but also project management data ina separate project management file. The project management data include,in particular, the work steps carried out during a particular workingtime interval, i.e. a work shift, their sequence and/or the currentproject status.

[0015] Apart from the object data and the project management data,project data in the form of project files, in particular from an EDPdevice, can be filed on the main server. Project data are general dataavailable for the implementation of the project, such as productinformation or planning data. After their storage on the main server,project data can also be retrieved by all the participants in theproject, in particular also by other EDP devices.

[0016] The storage and logging of all data, i.e. object data, projectmanagement data or project data, takes place essentially during aparticular working time interval; a formal termination of storage orlogging only takes place at the end of a shift. The logging makes iteasier for an employee, i.e. an operator for an EDP device, to becomefamiliarized at the start of a new or a following working time interval.

[0017] To advantage, the logging of the object data and/or the projectmanagement data takes place with the aid of suitable screen pages, inparticular in the form of input masks, on a screen of the EDP devicecurrently active. The input masks interrogate the employee regarding theinformation to be logged.

[0018] The time that an employee requires to search for information issignificantly shortened by the loading of knowledge databanks.

[0019] Project monitoring accessible via the EDP devices enables anonline overview at any time of the worldwide progress with the project,the employees participating in the project, their tasks within theproject and general project information.

[0020] A time model overview provides information upon requestconcerning the present times at the various sites.

[0021] The invention is not limited to the execution of certain kinds ofproject. Cross-locational project work is possible, therefore, not onlyfor the development of products, but also during their tests.Furthermore, the invention can be used for the remote control of plantsin general. Examples are the remote control of a plant for productdevelopment, in particular of an engine test bench, a cash dispenser, aproduction line, a power station or a rocket silo.

[0022] If the invention is used for the remote control of plants, thenthe main server is a component of a testing station for controlling theplant and the EDP devices are then each designed as remote-controldevices for the remote control of the plant via the data network and thetesting station.

[0023] To advantage, the testing station and/or the remote-controldevice respectively carry out a data reduction before they transmit theresultant data to the respective other device.

[0024] A very efficient method for data reduction, which can be carriedout both in the testing station as well as in the remote-control device,is the capturing of screen data, which becomes available on the variousscreens of these devices.

[0025] The aim of the invention is further solved by a computer programfor the implementation of at least individual method steps according toclaim 27 and by a system for implementing the method according to claim28. The advantages of this computer program and the system correspond tothe advantages stated above for the method.

[0026] Further advantageous developments of the method and the systemare the subject-matter of the subclaims.

[0027] A total of six figures are appended to the description of theinvention, whereby they show:

[0028]FIG. 1: a data network, such as forms the basis of the invention;

[0029]FIG. 2: a sequence of the method according to the invention withthe aid of a first example of embodiment;

[0030]FIG. 3: a detailed overview concerning the procedure during aworking time interval;

[0031]FIG. 4: the hardware structure for a second example of embodimentof the invention with a first configuration of a remote-control device;

[0032]FIG. 5: a second configuration for the remote-control device; and

[0033]FIG. 6: a detailed view of a control and check-back computer.

[0034]FIGS. 1 and 2 relate to the invention in general. FIG. 3 is alsokept general for the most part; it also relates in part, however, to aspecific first example of embodiment of the invention, according towhich the invention is used for the supra-regional design of acomponent.

[0035]FIG. 1 shows a data network 400 such as generally forms the basisof the invention. It connects a main server 100 at a first site A withtwo devices 200, 300 for electronic data processing EDP, which arelocated respectively at different sites, a second site B and a thirdsite C. Individual sites A, B, C are distributed supra-regionally, e.g.on different continents. Data network 400 is preferably a networkprotected against data misuse, i.e. a registered or in-house datanetwork, e.g. an intranet. It is also possible, however, to use theInternet as data network 400. A direct connection between EDP devices200 and 300 to sites B and C is not necessary.

[0036]FIG. 2 shows, as a first example of embodiment of the invention, atypical sequence of the method according to the invention for the designof a motor vehicle component at various EDP sites. Accordingly, one ofthe available sites, e.g. site B, is selected in a first method stepS2-1, so that an operator begins there with the project work during afirst working time interval n=1, as is represented in step S2-2. Duringor at the end of the n=1−st working time interval, the work resultsobtained during this working time interval are then logged and stored inan object file and project management data in their own projectmanagement file in accordance with step S2-3.

[0037] The object file contains, for example, information concerningwork actually carried out, i.e. in particular concerning what has beendone on the component. Furthermore, it provides information concerningthe work step of the project currently being carried out, if the latterhas not yet been completed, and concerning the next pending work step.Furthermore, it can provide information concerning as yet unsolvedproblems that have arisen, concerning references to other components,concerning persons contacted or concerning information required.

[0038] The project management data, on the other hand, include inparticular the work steps to be carried out according to plan for aparticular working time interval, their sequence and/or the currentproject status.

[0039] The object data and the project management data together shouldcontain all the important information required for a subsequentcontinuation of the project work in a subsequent working time interval.The storage of both the object data and the project management datapreferably takes place on a data memory 110 assigned to main server 100.

[0040] Before a continuation of the project work in a subsequent workingtime interval n=n+1, a check is first made according to step S2-4 toestablish whether the project is complete or is to be interrupted. Ifthat is the case, the method is then terminated S2-6.

[0041] If that is not the case, the subsequent working time interval isstarted according to step S2-5 by retrieving the stored object data andproject management data of the preceding working time interval. On thebasis of this information, the project work is then continued with stepS2-2. Apart from the retrieved data, the operator can of course alsocontact other people via e-mail, telephone or videoconference in orderto clarify current problems quickly. The following working time intervalis as a rule completed by an operator at site C with the aid of the EDPdevices available there.

[0042] Particular reference should be made at this point to thedescribed logging of project management data according to the invention.Compared with a mere retrieval of object data, this not only enables amore rapid entry into the continuation of the project work, especiallyif it also contains comments, instructions or guidelines for futuredesign steps. In addition, it also enables good and straightforwardproject documentation, e.g. in the form of documents for qualitydocumentation, training papers etc. The logging can be carried out atleast partially automatically, in that the individual work steps arechecked for certain patterns filed in a databank.

[0043] If the object file and the project management file, as describedabove, are stored in a data memory 110 assigned to main server 100, thishas the advantage that the data can then be managed completelyautomatically. The transported volume of data then corresponds to theactually required volume. Each of the EDP devices 200, 300 can then havethe currently required data available. Depending on the utilization andcapacity of the data network, however, a more or less long response andwaiting time for the required data occurs. This drawback can be avoidedby a replication of the files on main server 100 to EDP devices 200,300. As a result of the replication, complete and up-to-date data arealways available to the EDP devices at the individual sites. The data onthe central main server serve as a master dataset, which withappropriate routines can be replicated on the other EDP devices 200 and300. For the replication, only those data need be copied that haveactually been changed. Normally, this is only a small part of the totaldata stock.

[0044] Apart from replication, there are numerous other known methods ofdata transmission, e.g. by means of a so-called file transfer protocolFTP.

[0045] With the aid of FIG. 3, the procedure during a working timeinterval according to step S2-2 in FIG. 2 will be described in greaterdetail, on the assumption that logged information is available from thepreceding working time interval.

[0046] After taking over the object data and the project management datafrom the preceding working time interval for the design of the componentfrom the corresponding files in step S3-1, the operator at a remote EDPdevice 200, 300 extracts from these data a description of the currentprocess status and the next work step, step S3-2, and carries this out,step S3-3.

[0047] If the project management file is not available or onlyincompletely available, for example in the absence of comments for thesubsequent work steps, this means a conflict situation in whichextraordinary steps have to be taken. In this case, it is recommendableto establish contact with colleagues at the site where the precedingworking time interval has taken place in order to complete the data.After clarification of the cause of the incomplete project managementfile, a replication of the current data, for example, is carried out anda comment concerning the conflict situation is recorded in the projectmanagement file.

[0048] When this work step has been completed, the project work iscontinued according to step S3-4 with the next planned work step for thedesign of the component according to S3-2 and so forth. This sequentialexecution of individual work steps during a working time interval takesplace until such time as the working time interval is ended or until theexecution of a work step cannot be ended on account of a malfunction. Ifthe time for the current working time interval has at least almostexpired, the work according to step 3-10 is continued with step 2-3 fromFIG. 2.

[0049] If, on the other hand, the working time interval has not yetexpired and a malfunction is present, this again means a conflictsituation in which, in the same way as above, contact has to be madewith other colleagues or experts in order to be able to search for thecause of the malfunction according to step S3-5. The contact made forthe purpose of obtaining the necessary instructions can for example takethe form of a telephone conference of experts, S3-7. If, however, thecause cannot be found within a reasonable time, another work step forthe further processing is selected, step S3-8. The project execution isthen continued with step S3-2.

[0050] A second example of embodiment of the invention is described ingreater detail in the following.

[0051] The second example of embodiment describes a project in which aplant, here an engine test bench, is controlled from a testing stationand remote-controlled via a remote-control device.

[0052] Certain tests are carried out on the engine test bed for the newdevelopment of vehicle engines, e.g. the loading capacity and durabilityof new engines are tested with the aid thereof. The procurement of suchengine test benches is relatively expensive and costly. In addition,their operation requires well-trained specialist personnel. The mostrational utilization possible of the engine test benches shouldtherefore be sought.

[0053] An engine test bench consists of a mechanical holding fixture forthe engine to be tested and an electronic control and evaluation deviceconnected thereto, called a testing station in the following. For a testbench run, the engine is mounted on the holding fixture and fitted witha plurality of sensors. The mechanical holding fixture has a pluralityof actuators, which serve to adjust various engine parameters, such asfor example the fuel supply quantity or the ignition point. Theacquisition of the measurement values by means of the sensors and theselection of the settings for the actuators takes place by means of thetesting station, which is connected via a plurality of data lines to theholding fixture for the purpose of transmitting the data required forthis. On account of the large amounts of data to be exchanged and theplurality of lines, the testing station and the holding fixture arepreferably arranged spatially close to one another.

[0054] In the testing station, the raw data received by the sensors ispre-processed into a representation suitable for engine specialists,e.g. in the form of tables, diagrams, measurement records. Compared withthe raw data, the data thus pre-processed enables a better and morerapid overview of the engine behavior. The pre-processed data aredisplayed for example on screens or printed out as a hard copy.

[0055]FIG. 4 represents one such testing station 1 for the control of anengine test bench; for the sake of greater clarity, the engine testbench is not represented with the holding fixture for the engine and theengine itself to be tested.

[0056] A project execution according to the present invention consistsin the remote control of testing station 1 from an EDP device 200located at an arbitrary site, also called remote-control device 200′ inthe following, via a data network 400. The site of the remote-controldevice does not have to correspond with the site of testing station 1and the holding fixture.

[0057] In FIG. 4, testing station 1 with the holding fixture is locatedfor example in Mexico, whilst remote-control device 200′ is located forexample in Germany. Testing station 1 preferably has a control andcheck-back computer 2 with a test bench operating system, a dataprocessing and display computer 3 as well as a parameter and displaymodule 4. The control and check-back computer with test bench operatingsystem 2 serves to adjust the actuators of the engine test bench and todisplay the values currently set. Data processing and display computer 3serves to receive the measurement values determined by the sensors ofthe engine test bench and to process and display the same in therepresentation normally used by engine specialists. Parameter anddisplay module 4 serves to provide an engine control device (not shown),obligatory with modern engines, with parameters such as characteristiccurve fields for example, and to display the same on a screen.

[0058] To this extent, it concerns standard equipment for a testingstation 1 of an engine test bench. For the purpose of remote control,there are also provided in the testing station a camera and microphonedevice 5, which serves to record image and acoustic data in testingstation 1, as well as a main server 100, also referred to below as testbench server 100′, which acts as an interface for connecting theaforementioned components 2 to 5 to a data network 400.

[0059] In a first preferred configuration according to FIG. 4,remote-control device 200′ has, for each of components 2 to 4 providedin testing station 1, a functionally identical component, namely acontrol and check-back computer 210′ with the test bench operatingsystem, a data processing and display computer 220′ as well as aparameter and display module 230′. Ideally, it also includes an outputdevice 240′ for displaying the image and acoustic data 230′ recorded bycamera and microphone device 5 in the testing station. Output device240′ can contain means for the operation of camera and microphone device5, e.g. for changing the camera position or the image segment.Furthermore, remote-control device 200′ has a server 250′, which acts asan interface and as such links remote-control station 200′, i.e. inparticular aforesaid components 210′, 220′, 230′ and 240′, to datanetwork 400. Server 250′ distributes the screen contents onto thescreens of corresponding components 210′-250′ in remote-control device200′.

[0060] In a second preferred configuration, such as is represented inFIG. 5, remote-control device 200′ only has server 250′ and alarge-screen display 260′. Here too, server 250′ serves to linkremote-control device 200′ and data network 400. On large-screen display260′, images from one or more screens of test bench components 2-5 ofthe testing station can be reproduced, in particular alsosimultaneously; in the case of 4 components, the large-screen displaywould then advantageously be split up into four. This has the advantagethat the operator of remote-control device 200′ can control allcomponent computers 2-5 in testing station 1 by means of only onekeyboard and only one mouse and not via the four individual components210′-250′ as in the case of the first configuration of remote-controldevice 200′. Such a control of large-screen display 260′ is enabled by aspecial graphics card, to which up to four monitors can be connected. Atthe present time, four such cards can be installed in server 250′, sothat at present a maximum of 16 screens in testing station 1 can berepresented on large-screen display 260′ of remote-control device 200′.At the same time, the graphics card also enables an operation of up to16 components in the testing station from the one large-screen display260′ in remote-control device 200′.

[0061] As distinct from the first configuration of the remote-controldevice, the hardware of all components 210′, 220′, 230′ and 240′ can bespared with the second configuration, because the remote control cantake place solely via server 250′ and a large-screen display 260′. Acommunication by the operator with testing station 1 then no longertakes place as it does with the first configuration directly from acertain component 210′-240′ of the remote-control station withcorresponding component 2-5 in the testing station, but solely for viathe central large-screen display. The operation thus becomes clearer andmore comfortable for the operator.

[0062] In both configurations, testing station 1 is copied at leastapproximately 1:1 in remote-control device 200′, even if differently ineach case, so that the impression is conveyed to an operator inremote-control device 200′ that he can influence the engine test benchdirectly—as it were, from the testing station. The interventionsrequired for the operation are also identical in remote-control device200′ to those in testing station 1. This means that renewed training ofthe operator can be avoided.

[0063] It is also possible to control the engine test bench alternatelyor simultaneously both from one or more remote-control devices 200′ or300 as well as directly from testing station 1. As a result, it ispossible with testing stations 1 located in different world time zonesto guarantee a 24-hour operation of the engine test bench in therespective locally imposed working time intervals or working timeintervals that are found acceptable.

[0064] Test bench server 100′ and server 250′ in remote-control device200′ can both be operated independently of one another in two differentoperating modes.

[0065] In a first operating mode, servers 100, 250′ connect individualcomponents 2 to 5 or 210′-240′ respectively as separate bus nodes tonetwork 400. Individual lines 14, 15, 16 and 17 are then conveyed, as itwere, solely parallel through the respective server. This has theadvantage that a combination of all the data streams 14, 15, 16 and 17into a common data stream before they are fed into data network 400 isunnecessary. A further advantage of the separate network connection ofthe components is that the data utilization of the network can beorganized more uniformly.

[0066] In a second operating mode, servers 100′, 250′ combine individualdata streams 14, 15, 16 or 17 into a common data stream. This can beparticularly advantageous when the server is used to transmit capturingdata, as a result of which a marked data reduction is achieved, as willbe explained in greater detail below.

[0067] Both individual components 2 to 5 of testing station 1 as well asindividual components 210′ to 240′ of remote-control device 200′ and thetwo servers 100′, 250′ transmit the data in the form of data packets ofsmall to medium size, in order in this way to avoid a lengthy occupationof data network 400.

[0068] Since, as already mentioned, there is a brisk data exchangebetween the holding fixture for the engine and testing station 1 of theengine test bench and, consequently, large amounts of data would have tobe transferred via data network 400 for remote control of the enginetest bench, whilst on the other hand the transmission bandwidth ofexisting data networks 400 is limited or relatively expensive, anattempt is made to keep the amounts of data to be transmitted vianetwork 400 small. Various options are available for this:

[0069] A first possibility consists in the fact that, instead of sendingthe raw data received directly from the sensors located on the engine tobe tested, testing station 1 sends the latter as representativepre-processed data to the remote-control devices. The pre-processed dataare greatly compressed compared with the raw data.

[0070] A second possibility for a marked reduction in the amount of datato be transmitted and thus for a saving of data bandwidth in network 400consists in the transmission of so-called capturing data. Thesecapturing data represent the screen content (e.g. a hard copy) ofscreens of one or more components 2, 3 or 4 of testing station 1 or oneor more components to 210′-240′ of remote-control station 200′; they canbe extracted from the video memory (not shown) of the individualcomponent. By means of capturing, a transmission of data in at leastapproximately real time is possible, as a result of which the remotecontrol of the testing station becomes much more comfortable. Waitingfor an acknowledgment is either no longer required at all or is requiredonly once. A further advantage of the real-time transmission consists inthe fact that the person operating the test bench from a remote-controlstation 200′ is put in a position as though he were working directly intesting station 1, because the test and measurement values are displayedalmost at the same time as in distant testing station 1.

[0071] In the capturing operation, too, both servers 100, 250′ can beoperated either in their first or second operating mode. Preferably,however, they are then operated in the second operating mode describedabove, because the capturing operation not only enables the marked datareduction, but also a simplified combination of all the screen contentsof individual components 2 to 5; both are advantageous both for datatransmission via network 400 and, in particular, also for the operationof large-screen display 260′.

[0072] When the data is combined, test bench server 100′ in particularcollects the capturing data from several screens of individualcomponents 2-5 of testing station 1 and sends the latter in a collectivedata packet to server 250′ of remote-control device 200′. Apart from thescreen contents themselves, their original addresses, i.e. the addressesof their output components in testing station 1, are also contained inthe data packets. On the basis of the addresses, server 250′ is in aposition to assign correctly the screen contents either to the screensof corresponding components 210′-250′ or to display them on thelarge-screen display in a suitable manner, depending on howremote-control device 200′ is designed. A simple time adjustment, i.e. asimple synchronization, of the data packets is possible.

[0073] In the case where several remote-control devices are connected totesting station 1, their respective servers also coordinate various datarequests from authorized operators of individual specialist operatingdevices.

[0074] It is particularly advantageous with the capturing operation forthe latter to be implemented with already existing software that isavailable for purchase.

[0075] A further advantage of capturing is that the pre-processed dataalready available for evaluation by the engine experts can be used andtransmitted directly; separate data preparation is thus no longerrequired for copying the data from the testing station in remote-controldevice 200′.

[0076] Already existing asynchronous data networks, e.g. an intranet orthe Internet, can be used as network 400. Such data networks have thedrawback, however, that as a rule they do not have any definedtransmission times for the data packets. It can happen, therefore, thata first data packet, which has been sent prior to a second data packet,arrives at the recipient only after the second data packet. With theso-called real-time operation sought in the present case, such anuncoordinated transmission is undesirable for the remote control and thedisplay of the received data. In an advantageous development of theinvention, therefore, synchronization information is added to the datapackets. Such synchronization information can for example be a so-calledSync-Master. Such a Sync-Master, known to the expert, can be triggeredfor example by a clock time, by an event or by both. A consecutivecoding is used for this, which is established by the expert as required.This coding is added to the data sent. This coding is notified to thedata recipient. As an alternative to the Sync-Master, use may also bemade of a standard synchronous pulse. It is particularly advantageous touse timing marks, i.e. real-time information, as synchronousinformation.

[0077] With each of the aforementioned examples of synchronousinformation, the recipient is able to reproduce the received datapackets in the correct sequence. Furthermore, events corresponding toone another, originally occurring simultaneously at components 2-5 and210′-240′, can also again be correctly assigned to one another afterreceipt, so that the operator working in the distant remote-controldevice gains a uniform impression when the received data and measurementvalues are displayed.

[0078] A consequence of the synchronization of the data packets is thatrelatively rapidly transmitted data packets have to be artificiallydelayed, so that they can be displayed in remote-control station 200′simultaneously with data packets transmitted more slowly. In some cases,this can lead to a kind of data jamming of the relatively rapidlytransmitted data packets, which is undesirable on account of the storagerequirement needed for this. Furthermore, the jammed information is outof date after a certain time, such that it can no longer be used for areal-time display of the data. In an advantageous development of theinvention, therefore, a forced updating (refreshing) of the displayeddata is carried out at certain time intervals, e.g. at an interval ofseveral seconds. The jammed data packets are thereby rejected, insofaras they can be replaced by up-to-date data packets or they areacknowledged as out of date. Work then continues with the updated data.

[0079] With image transmission using a standard compression process,e.g. MPEG 2, such a forced updating has the further advantage thatsmaller image changes, which on account of the compression process arenot in themselves transmitted, nonetheless also appear on the receiverside after a certain time.

[0080] If, as described above, a test bench server 100′ and aremote-control server 250′ are provided in order to carry out the datatransfer between test bench 1 and at least one remote-control device200′ in the form of data packets, the use of special synchronizationinformation may under certain conditions be unnecessary. This appliesparticularly when the data transfer takes place between servers 100 and250′, e.g. via an intranet, in the form of so-called TCP/IP protocols,whereby these protocols are set up solely via a local network includinglines 14, 15, 16 or 17.

[0081] In an advantageous development of the invention, the data packetsexchanged via data network 400 are recorded over a certain period, e.g.in the course of an hour. This has the advantage that the data can beevaluated or further processed, e.g. into diagrams or for the purpose ofstatistical analyses, by the engine experts in peace after the test hasbeen carried out. A further advantage is that certain events in a testbench run, e.g. a defect in the engine arising in the engine test, canbe analyzed again after it has emerged (so-called post-mortem analysis).An unambiguous time assignment is also possible in the subsequentplaying of the recorded data as a result of using the synchronizationinformation, which for example makes for a more uniform image sequence.

[0082] For data recording, at least one host computer 12 or 13 isprovided, which can be connected to network 400 at any point. It isexpedient for the host computer to be arranged either in the vicinity oftesting station 1 or in the vicinity of remote-control device 200′. Thefirst-mentioned arrangement offers the advantage that the cost oftransmitting data over fairly great distances via data network 400 iskept low. The provision of only one host computer is recommended when,for example, the development authority is at the location of testingstation 1 and the expert evaluation of the measurement results suppliedby the sensors also takes place there.

[0083] As an alternative to one host computer 12, additional hostcomputers 13 can also be assigned to remote-control devices 200′. Inorder to avoid a high network load between testing station 1 andspatially distant remote-control devices 200′, 300, each of hostcomputers 12, 13 stores the data of the device assigned to it. Toadvantage, the host computers monitor the utilization of network 400, inorder to be able to carry out a balancing of their data automatically attimes of low utilization. The described installation of several hostcomputers 12, 13 is recommended particularly when an evaluation of thedata is to be carried out not only at the location of the testingstation, but also at the location of the remote-control device; byproviding the two host computers, a marked reduction of the network loadcan then be achieved.

[0084] For a further reduction in the data transmission outlay, cameraand acoustic recording device 5 is provided with a data compressiondevice (not represented here), which, with the use of special hardwareand software, carries out a data compression of the image data accordingto a standard compression process, e.g. MPEG 2. The data compressiondevice has a hardware coder, which carries out the coding into the MPEG2 format. By means of software, the MPEG 2-coded data can then bematched to the network bandwidths available. In this way, an observercan determine the image resolution and the image color depth inindividual steps. Decoding software is used by the recipient to decodethe image data. For the coding of the sound types, a so-calledwave-coder is used which has both mono and stereo adjustments, and canalso operate external midi devices. Decoding software is also used onthe receiving side. By means of a hardware dual system, the computer canreceive, i.e. store, as well as transmit data.

[0085] In an advantageous development of the invention, temporary datastorage means 18, in which complete uncompressed image information istemporarily stored in high image resolution, are provided for thecompensation of temporary image resolution changes caused by datacompression, e.g. when camera 5 swivels. At times of low utilization ofdata network 400, these data are then fed to host computer 12 and thenlater to host computer 13 for storage. This has the advantage that thecomplete image information is available in the best possiblerepresentation during subsequent viewing of the recorded data, withoutparticular load peaks thereby occurring during the transmission vianetwork 400.

[0086] In order to avoid damage to the engine or to testing station 1,it is advantageous, before a test bench run with the engine, to transmitcertain permitted limiting values from remote-control device 200′ totesting station 1. During the test bench run, these limiting values arethen monitored by testing station 1 and, if at least one of theselimiting values is exceeded, a warning is emitted to the operator or thetest bench is wholly or partially shut down. Damage to the engine canoccur, for example, when the ignition point is inadvertently set to anextreme pre-ignition. As a result of the described transmission oflimiting values, damage to the engine and/or to the test bench, due forexample to a disturbed or interrupted data transmission via network 400,is avoided.

[0087] Finally, it is advantageous if at least some of components 2-5 or210′-240′ have means for the simultaneous transmission of data vianetwork 400 and for local storage.

[0088]FIG. 6 shows that, when use is made of commercially availablepersonal computers for acquiring the measurement and control informationand the video information, which is transmitted via lines 14-17, thiscan take place preferably through the transmission of the aforementionedinformation via an internal bus system 19 of control and check-backcomputer 2. There is then connected to this bus system 19, in additionto a node 20 required for the measurement data acquisition, a furthernode 21, i.e. a network card, which outputs to test bench server 100′the measurement data evaluated by node 20 and then fed into bus system19. Furthermore, a node 22 is provided, which temporarily stores themeasurement data and makes them available on request for transmission tohost computer 12. Despite a time-critical transmission of large amountsof data, therefore, a remote transmission and simultaneous storage ofthe aforementioned data is enabled with components that are standard onpersonal computers, as a result of which the invention can beimplemented at relatively low cost.

[0089] The first and the second example of embodiment can of course belinked together in such a way that, in the second example of embodiment,i.e. with the remote control of the engine test bench, the transitionbetween two successive working time intervals takes place according tothe first example of embodiment, in particular with the logging ofobject data and project management data described there.

1. A method for carrying out a project from a plurality of differentlylocated EDP devices (200, 300), which are connected via a data network(400) with a main server (100) serving the central data loading for thepurpose of data exchange; whereby, during individual working timeintervals, respectively one other from the plurality of EDP devices(200, 300) for carrying out the project is at least partially activated;and whereby the data network is designed supra-regionally, in particularinternationally, and the individual EDP devices (200, 300) are locateddistributed at least partially supra-regionally.
 2. The method accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the individual EDP devices (200, 300)are located at least partially in different world time zones.
 3. Themethod according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat the data network (400) is designed at least partially line-linkedor not line-linked.
 4. The method according to claim 3, characterized inthat the data network (400) is the Internet or an intranet.
 5. Themethod according to claim 4, characterized in that the data exchangebetween the operator on one of the EDP devices (200, 300) and the mainserver (100) takes place via an Internet browser.
 6. The methodaccording to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, forthe execution of the project, the individual EDP devices (200, 300) areactivated in a cyclically alternating manner during successive workingtime intervals with n=1−N.
 7. The method according to any one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the data transmission in thedata network (400), in particular between the main server (100) and theEDP devices (200, 300), takes place at least approximately in real time.8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims,characterized by the following steps: a) selection of one from theplurality of EDP devices (200, 300) for the partial execution of theproject during an n=1−st working time interval; b) partial execution ofthe project with the aid of the selected EDP device (200, 300) at itsrespective site during n'th working time interval; c) logging andstorage of object data, assigned to the work object and processed duringthe n-th working time interval, in at least one object file; d)retrieval of the logged project data of the n-th working time intervalat the start of a subsequent working time interval with n=n+1 from theobject file of the same or another EDP device (200, 300) selected forthe project execution during the subsequent working time interval; ande) continuation of the project-specific work on the basis of theretrieved object data during the n-th working time interval by repeatingsteps b-d) until such time as the project is completed or interrupted atthe end of the n=N'th work step.
 9. The method according to claim 8,characterized in that step c), in addition to the logging and storage ofthe object data, also provides for the logging and storage of projectmanagement data in an own project management file.
 10. The methodaccording to claim 9, characterized in that the project management datadenote the respective work steps carried out during a working timeinterval, their sequence and/or the project status.
 11. The methodaccording to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the logging of theproject management data takes place at least partially automatically.12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized inthat step d) also includes a retrieval of the project management data ofthe preceding work step from the project management file.
 13. The methodaccording to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that theindividual working time intervals n=1−N follow one another without apause and each working time interval lasts approx. 6-8 h.
 14. The methodaccording to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that an individualworking time interval is split up into three phases following the oneanother, a shift start phase, a shift in-progress phase and a shift endphase, whereby the retrieval of the object data or the projectmanagement data of the preceding working time interval is carried outduring the shift start phase and the logging and storage of the objectdata or the project management data of a current working time intervalis carried out during a least any one of the three phases.
 15. Themethod according to any one of claims 9-14, characterized in thatsuitable screen pages, in particular in the form of input masks, aremade available respectively on the screens of the EDP devices (200, 300)for the logging of the project management data and/or the work results.16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that the screenpages are automatically adapted to a current project status.
 17. Themethod according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat project monitoring, access to knowledge databanks, data exchangeand/or viewing of a time model overview is possible via at least some ofthe EDP devices (200, 300).
 18. The method according to any one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the data network (400) for theinformation exchange between the EDP devices (200, 300) and the mainserver 100 enables a transmission rate of at least 1 Mbit/s.
 19. Themethod according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat, in the event of a bandwidth reduction occurring in the datanetwork (400), the data to be transmitted are selected and transmittedaccording to a predetermined priority.
 20. The method according to anyone of the preceding claims, characterized in that the main server (100)is a component of a testing station (1) for controlling a plant, inparticular an engine test bench, and that the EDP devices (200, 300) areeach designed as remote-control devices for the remote control of theplant via the data network (400) and the testing station (1).
 21. Themethod according to claim 20, characterized in that the testing station(1) and/or the remote-control device (200) respectively perform a datareduction before they transmit the data via the data network (400). 22.The method according to claim 21, characterized in that the datareduction takes place by capturing of screen data.
 23. The methodaccording to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that the data reductiontakes place, if need be, also by streaming of video data.
 24. The methodaccording to claims 20 to 23, characterized in that, especially when thedata network (400) is designed as an asynchronous network, the datapackets to be transported via the same have synchronization information.25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that a forcedupdating of the data to be transmitted occasionally takes place in thetesting station (1) and/or in the remote-control devices (200).
 26. Themethod according to any one of claims 20 to 25, characterized in that,before the start-up of the plant, at least some of the remote-controldevices (200, 300) carry out a transmission of permitted limiting valuesfor the operation of the plant via the data network to the testingstation.
 27. A computer program for carrying out at least some of themethod claims 1-26, characterized in that the computer programpreferably runs on the main server (100).
 28. A system for implementingthe method according to any one of claims 1-26, characterized by themain server, the differently located EDP devices (200, 300) and the datanetwork (400).
 29. The system according to claim 28, characterized inthat the main server (100) is designed for the execution of the computerprogram according to claim 27 and for storing an object file and/or aproject management file separately or together in at least one databankof the data network (400).
 30. The system according to claim 28,characterized by a testing station (1), which has the main serverdesigned as a test bench server 100′, as well as a plurality of EDPdevices respectively designed as remote-control devices (200′, 300′),whereby the testing station (1) is designed for controlling a plant, inparticular an engine test bench, and whereby the remote-control devicesare each designed for the remote control of the plant via the datanetwork (400) and the testing station (1).
 31. The system according toclaim 30, characterized in that the testing station (1) has, apart fromtest bench server 100′, a plurality of components, in particular acontrol and check-back computer (2), a data processing and displaycomputer (3), an image and acoustic recording device (5) and/or aparameter and display module (4), and whereby the components areconnected via an LAN to the test bench server (100′).
 32. The systemaccording to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that at least some of theremote-control devices (200′, 300′) have, apart from a plurality ofcomponents, in particular a control and check-back computer (210′), adata processing and display computer (220′) and/or a parameter anddisplay module (230′), also a server (250′), to which components(210′-250′) are connected preferably via an LAN and which serves to linkthe components to the data network (400).
 33. The system according toclaim 32, characterized in that identical components (2-5, 210′-240′) ofthe testing station (1) and respectively one of the remote-controldevices (200, 300) are connected to one another respectively via aseparate network connection (14, 15, 16, 17).
 34. The system accordingto claim 30 or 31, characterized in that at least some of theremote-control devices (200′, 300′) have a large-screen display (260′)and a server (250′) for linking large-screen display (260′) to datanetwork (400).
 35. The system according to any one of claims 28-34,characterized in that the test bench server (100′) is designed forcollecting, as capturing data, the screen data from at least some of thescreens of the components of testing station (1) connected via the LAN,and for transmitting the collected capturing data preferably in the formof a data collection packet to the respective other server.
 36. Thesystem according to any one of claims 28-35, characterized in thatservers (250′) in the remote-control devices (200′, 300′) are designedfor collecting, as capturing data, the screen data from at least some ofthe screens of the components of the remote-control device connected viathe LAN, and for transmitting the collected capturing data preferably inthe form of a data collection packet to the test bench server (100′).37. The system according to claim 36, characterized in that the testbench server (100) of the testing station and/or the server (250′) ofthe remote-control device are respectively designed to receive thecapturing data transmitted by the respective other server and to outputthe same as independent screen information either for display on aplurality of individual screens or for display in the form of severalindependent images on a large-screen display (260′).
 38. The systemaccording to any one of the preceding system claims, characterized inthat the data network (400) is designed as an asynchronous network. 39.The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterizedin that the testing station (1) and/or the remote-control devices (200′)have a local data memory (12, 13) for recording data packets to betransmitted or already exchanged.